Burglar-alarm



(No Model.)

W. H. REIF'F.

BURGLAR ALARM.

-N0.-428,93. Patented May 27, 1890.

Mines-ases:

UNITED 'STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. REIFF, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

BU RG LAR-ALARM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 428,693, dated May 2'?,1890.

Application filed January 27, 1890. Serial No. 338,239. (No model.) g

To a/ZZ whom t muy concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. REIEE, of the city and county ofPhiladelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement inCap-Exploding Burglar-Alarms, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to burglar-alarms; and it consists of certainimprovements which are fully set forth in the following specificationand shown in the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

More particularly my invention relates to cap-exploding burglar-alarmswhich are operated by the opening of a door or similar object, so as toexplode a cap and give notice of the opening of the door.

The object of my invention is also to produce a convenient portablealarm Whiclimay be carried from place to place, so as to be availablefor use for the protection of travelers in public hotels, the.

In carrying out my invention I employ a suit-able box-shaped support,provided with a pivoted hammer and adapted to receive a suitablecartridge. This device is of such a character that it may be placed uponthe floor adjacent to the door of the room with the hammer adjusted, sothat any appreciable movement of the door will actuate the hammer andcause it to strike the cartridge or cap and give an alarm.

My invention also consists in certain improvements in the formation ofthe device, whereby after the door has been moved a sufficient distanceto actuate the trigger or hammer further progress of the door will bearrested, so that it operates not only to give warning of the movementof the door, but also prevents it being further opened to a sufficientdegree to admit the entrance of a person from the outside.

My invention also consists in certain improvements in the constructionand arrangement of the parts, which are hereinafter more fully setforth.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of my improved apparatuswith the cartrid ge and cartridge-holder removed from the supporttherefor. Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of the same, illustratingthe actuation of the trigger by the movement of the door. Fig. 3 is aninverted plan View of the upper portion or top of the device, and Fig. 4is an inverted plan View of the apparatus.

A is a suitable box-shaped frame, which is preferably formed with itsrearward portion B inclined or wedge-shaped. This box-shaped portion isprovided with a number of holes or openings a, to admit the escape ofthe smoke and gas due to the explosion of the cap from the interior ofthe box and to give greater freedom to the sound. The top or cover ofthe box A is provided with a slot or opening D.

C is a hammer or trigger having one of its ends projecting through theslot or opening D in the cover and pivoted to the under surface of thecover, as indicated at o.

E is a suitable spring carried by the box A and connected at e to theend of the trigger C beyond its pivot-point c.

F is an opening in the surface of the box A to receive a tubularcartridge-holder G, located at that portion of the boX\A which will bestruck by the end of the hammer C when the latter is operated.

H' is the cartridge which is fitted in the tubular holder G.

I prefer to make the cartridge-holder G removable from the box A, sothat when desired the alarm may be unloaded by the removal of thecartridge-holder G. It will be seen that by this construction anytampering or playing with the device will be prevented, as the removalof the cartridge holder or support will render it impossible for anyperson to insert the cartridge or cap in the apparatus.

The tubular portion of the cartridge-holder G fits into the hole F, andis supported thereby by means of the collar or flange l.

I is the pin carried by the tubular portion of the cartridge-holder toprevent the cartridge-holder from dropping out of the hole F, which isprovided with a small extension or slot f to admit the pin or projectionI.

.I is a pin carried by the base of the boX A, which is adapted to beinserted in the iioor for the purpose of holding the box in place.

The spring E is so connected with the end of the hammer or trigger Cthat when the latter is turned back into its eXtreme position, as shownin Figs. l and 2, it will not op- IOO erate the trigger; but the momentthe trigger is moved slightly the spring acting upon the trigger willsnap it down upon the cartridge ll, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig.2, with the stem of the trigger fitting in the slot D.

I do not limit myself to any particular form or arrangement oi' thespring for operating the trigger, as it is apparent that any othersuitable form may be substitutedffor that shown without in the leastdeparting from the principles of my invention.

It will be observed that when the trigger is drawn back into its extremeposition its edge projects slightly beyond the end of the boxedge, asshown in Fig. 2, the object of this f being that the door shall come incontact with the trigger and operate it before it comes in Contact withthe box.

The operation of the device will now be readily understood. r llhen itis desired to employ the alarm, it is placed upon the floor or beforethe object against the opening of which it isr intended to guard,removed .ar

slight distance therefrom. The pin J' being forced into the floor so asto hold the box in place, the trigger f is ynow turned :back voreocked,77 and the cartridge is placed in the cartridge-hole. Asheretofore explained, the

end of the trigger projects a slight distancey f beyond the end of thebox, as illustrated in Fig. 2., yIt will nowbe seen that the moment thedoor or other object isr movedv to' a suffi-r cient extent to touch thetrigger and slightly ymove it so that the spring E can operate, thetrigger C will instantly be snapped down upon the cartridge Il and willexplode it. If after the explosion the door is further opened, its loweredge, coming in contact with the i11- elined surface or Wedge portion ofthe box A, will be arrested and prevented from opening sufficiently toadmit the entrance of a person.

It will be seen that the device is small and light, and may be carriedin the pocket or 'valise andi adjustedr in position Whenever dcsired.

lVhile I prefer the details of construction which are here showml'do notlimit my invention to them, as it is apparent that they may be varied inmany Ways Without departing from the principles ot' my invention.

llaving new described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination of the box or support A,,thespring-actuated hammer l,pivoted and a pivoted spring-actuated hammer carried by the box or'support A and adapted to strike the cartridge in the cartridge-holder.

f f The combination of the box A, provided with a cap-support and'having an inclined f face and the slot D, with the hammer @,pivotedwithin the slot l) and having an arm arranged at an angle to the hammerl, and the spring E, attached to the box A upon the side of thepivot-point @farthest from the inclined arm and connected to said arm ate, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony of which invention I have hereunto set my hand.

lVILLlAM Il. REIFF. Witnesses:

ERNEST HOWARD HUNTER, MAURICE II. IIoLuEs.

